OHSU animal programs earn exemplary marks

The Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International (AAALAC) recently conducted site visits to evaluate the animal-use programs on the Central and Waterfront Campus and at the Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC) on the West Campus. AAALAC accreditation is voluntary, and the process includes an extensive peer review assessment of the animal use program by experts in the field of laboratory animal care. The AAALAC accreditation program evaluates organizations that use animals in research, teaching or testing, and those that meet or exceed AAALAC standards are awarded accreditation.

After an institution earns accreditation, it must be re-evaluated every three years in order to maintain its accredited status. The Central and Waterfront Campus animal-use program has maintained full accreditation since 1966 and the ONPRC since 1975. The AAALAC site visitors were highly complimentary of the OHSU animal-use programs, and they indicated that continued full accreditation would be recommended for both campuses.

Accreditation benefits an institution and the animals in its care by assuring high standards for animal care and use, promoting scientific validity, and demonstrating accountability by showing a clear commitment to the responsible care and use of animals. AAALAC accreditation helps raise the global benchmark for animal well-being in science and OHSU is proud to be a part of this process.